Project Hope’s Boston Marathon runner Kyle Vernest.

On September 14, 2020, nearly 30,000 runners will run the 124th Boston Marathon®.  The 26.2-mile route extends through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston.

Somerville’s Kyle Vernest has been running since high school and continues to do it as a way to spend time with his dog, Ollie. Kyle also ran for Project Hope in 2012. Kyle will be running for Project Hope through an entry provided by John Hancock. Each year John Hancock donates guaranteed entries to selected nonprofits, which use these entries to recruit individual runners to raise money for their cause.

Project Hope is a multi-service agency at the forefront of efforts in Boston to move families up and out of poverty. Project Hope partners with low-income women, children, and families to access education, jobs, housing, and emergency services.

Working alongside women and families in the heart of Boston where the most support is needed, Project Hope also works for a broader systematic change. Last year, Project Hope served 691 families. 95 women became part of the Project Hope community through enrollment through their year-long Adult Basic Education and English for Speakers of Other Languages classes.

150 participants engaged in workforce readiness programming, job search, and placement support during their first year of employment. 80 % of Work Force Development graduates secured and maintained employment. 96% from their healthcare training programs obtained positions in the field. 344 families received housing support services, leading to 81 families avoiding eviction and stabilizing their current housing as well as 115 families securing much needed affordable and sustainably housing.

This year, with 14 runners total, Project Hope’s Marathon Team’s goal is to reach $200,000.

Approximately 500,000 spectators line the 26.2-mile course annually, making the Boston Marathon New England’s most widely viewed sporting event, according to estimates by police and public safety officials from the eight cities and towns along the route.

Donate to Kyle Vernest’s fundraising campaign by clicking this link or by visiting Team Hope’s 2020 Boston Marathon GoFundMe page and viewing The Team.